Puppies are so adorable! They love to play with just about anything, including plastid! But what happens if a puppy accidentally eats plastic? Will the plastic make the puppy sick?
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If your puppy has eaten some plastic, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s scary when a puppy eats something they shouldn’t. And it’s sometimes difficult to know what to do. We’ve put together some information to help you and your puppy.
In this article, we’ll take a look at plastic and whether or not it can make your puppy sick. Let’s get started!
Some Information About Plastic
Plastic is everywhere these days. Think about any room in your home and the plastic items it contains. Plastic is in many electronic devices, in the bottles that our medicines come in, and so much more. Is it any wonder that a puppy might choose a plastic item to play with and chew up?
Many people wonder why their puppy would chew and possibly eat plastic. It’s hard to tell sometimes, but puppies may chew on various plastic items because they’re teething, exploring their world, they may mistake a plastic item for one of their toys, and more.
So, can plastic make a puppy sick?
Plastic & Puppies
Plastic can make puppies sick, but it depends on how much plastic was eaten. In some cases, a puppy may chew on a hard plastic item, breaking off a small piece in the process. If the piece is very small, then the chances are pretty good it will harmlessly pass through the puppy’s digestive tract.
Having said that, there are times when plastic can pose a very serious health problem in puppies. Keep in mind that a puppy’s stomach acid will not break down plastic that’s been ingested.
It possible that a larger piece of plastic or several pieces of plastic can be swallowed by the puppy. The dangers here include:
- Choking
- Sharp edges could cause mouth injuries and/or punctures of the throat and digestive tract
- Cause an intestinal blockage
Each of these is a very serious medical problem.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Plastic Ingestion in Puppies
You may notice these symptoms if your puppy has eaten plastic:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fever
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, then it’s time to call the vet. This is a medical emergency.
Note: do not induce vomiting unless this is recommended by the vet.
Be sure to make a note of what your puppy was chewing on when he swallowed the plastic. If possible, bring any remnants of the item with you to the vet.
Treatment of Plastic Ingestion in Puppies
At the vet’s, they will do a complete physical examination of your puppy. The vet may also order some lab work and imaging tests, such as x-rays. The images will help show the vet where the plastic is located in your puppy’s digestive tract.
When it comes to removing the plastic, the vet may use an endoscopic procedure or surgery. The surgery is to remove the plastic and repair any damage it may have caused. After this, the vet may give your fur baby antibiotics to stop any infection. The vet may also recommend putting your puppy on an easy diet for the next few days or so. This gives your puppy’s digestive tract time to heal.
The good news is that in most cases, your puppy will make a full recovery after eating plastic.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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